Aggressive when the doorbell goes?

[prosefullstop]

It's only been two months since we adopted Prince, but he and Stella are the best of buds. They sleep together, eat next to one another, share toys without issue and never get jealous when the other is being petted. There is one issue that started a few weeks ago, however, and I'm curious as to why it's happening.

Every time the doorbell goes, Stella rushes to the door and Prince follows. She is fine with him following if he's silent, but if he starts barking as well, she starts getting scrappy and bargy with him. Tonight she got aggressive with him when he howled loudly (Prince simply stands there if another dog starts with him) so I told her off and put her in another room for five minutes. When the doorbell went again, I called both dogs to me and made them sit and wait and all was fine.

Why is she doing this, and is the sitting/treating approach the best way forward?

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

Sounds like she's just asserting her dominance to me. I think if you try and distract them when the doorbell rings either by putting them in another room or with treats - others on here will probably have better suggestions! - rather than letting them race to the door and getting all excited!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yeah I would block their access and exposure to the point of excitement and distract them. Could your OH be roped in to provide some entertainment? While you get a stooge to press the doorbell?